Oban Society - Yosegaki Hinomaru

[vajo]

I've got in a trade as a gift a yosegaki hinomaru 寄せ書き日の丸 a so called good luck flag. 

I don't collect such personal things from war because i think this is something what i didn't want to have at home, because it is the privacy of a fallen soldier (when the flag is authentic).

I know that these flags bring some money on ebay but i didn't wan't to make any money with it.

 

I read about the oban society that search for the families, to bring back the flag home to Japan.

 

Has anybody of you some experience with that organisation and how that will work? I contact the oban society for a opinion of the flag. 

 

Or could that be a surrender flag?

 

 

 

Best

 

Chris

[TETSUGENDO]

Great sentiments Chris, best of luck.

 

Cheers,

[Shamsy]

A beautiful example and certainly one collectors like myself would desire. I completely understand your sentiment though. It's a little like photographs; very personal things.

 

Nick from Warrelics has in fact posted a thread discussing how to return flags.

 

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/government-Japan-will-now-act-intermediary-case-you-wish-return-war-relics-families-679338/

 

Please read it carefully though. As Nick points out, it is only a flag or Senninbari that was taken on the battlefield that has any true meaning to a bereaved family. Additionally, ensure you read Michael's comments. He is a wise man and I have a lot of respect for him. He has written on the subject of flags and published a book on the matter after extensive research. Considering the high regard he is held in in general, I feel it fair to call him an expert in the field. Somewhere in the middle of both sides is probably the truth, but each needs to decide. Regardless, it is a kind gesture made in good faith.

 

Both Nick and Michael would probably be happy to translate the flag too.

[vajo]

Thanks for your thoughts.

I'm in contact with the oban society and they told me what is written on the flag.

They only start the search for relatives when they have the flag recieved. As i asked what will happened with the flag if they don't find anyone or the family did not want the flag back the answer was a little strange for me because they say they will search years for years further. My thought was they start search with the information. But that will not happen.

Btw. The answer mail did not sound very kindley in my ears, but maybe my english is not as best to understand it correctly.

[Shamsy]

That's a bit of bad news on both fronts then. I suppose they may think that the effort they put in needs some sort of guaranteed return if successful, but it is sure to put off some folk who would rather see the flag at least appreciated and looked after in the meantime.

 

As to tone, it can be very difficult to read, so don't worry too much about that. Hopefully it's just language barriers.

[vajo]

Yes that is difficult. They need the flag in hands and they want a detailed packed package for sending. So the cost with insurance is not cheap around $40.

And you don't know what happened then. If no one can found, the flag will stored forever there and is lost for anybody. I thought easy but it isn't easy at all.

It's a none profit organisation that will spent time and life from the success to help some families. All the costs of this success is in the hands of collectors which are seen as somebody who have stolen the pieces. That is not good.

[TETSUGENDO]

Chris,

 

Sorry you find yourself in this imbroglio.  The language barrier can lead to all manner of misunderstanding, bruised feelings,etc.  I am sure your efforts are appreciated for without likeminded souls, filled with the best of intentions, their efforts would be much more difficult to achieve. Whatever you determine regarding this dilemma, guided by a pure heart, you may rest assured your decision is a right one.

 

Cheers,

[charlie1]

Chris,

 

As Japanese flag and senninbari collector myself. I respect your decision and wish you the best of luck reuniting this flag with the family.

 

Charlie S.